Cash squash prizes proposed

Press, 9 December 1988, Page 48

Cash squash prizes proposed

Canterbury open grade inter-club squash teams might play for cash as well as trophies in the 1989 season.

A proposed new format for men’s and women’s open grade occupied some discussion time at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Squash Rackets Association this week. In a unanimous vote the meeting recommended that the incoming C.S.R.A. management committee look at putting the format into place next season.

It has been proposed that the open grade competitions be cut back from eight to six teams, that they be played on a dif-

ferent evening — possibly Wednesday — and all at the one venue.

Previously both men’s and women’s open grade has been played on Tuesday evenings with several venues required. The possibility of cash prizes comes about because of a potential sponsor and the suggestion that each team pay a substantial entry fee.

The new C.S.R.A. president, Murray Withers, who will continue to co-

However, Mr Withers stressed that the association would only proceed with the new format if the association felt confident it would succeed. Meanwhile, the C.S.R.A. is to move closer to estab-

lishing a permanent base and early in. the New Year negotiations will begin with, the Christchurch ordinate the . match and tournament Jsub-commit-tee, said yesterday that all open would be played at M Squashways if . the format was adopted.

Mr Withers said one obvious benefit would be that “everybody knows every week where they’re going to be.”

j With all other inter-club squash still being played on Monday and Tuesday evenings, more people would have the chance to see open grade and it was also hoped to generally give the elite, division a higher profile.

Squash Rackets Club about the possibility of establishing district headquarters there.

The Christchurch club will be the host for the 1989 national championships and the necessary refurbishing of the downstairs lounge could tie in with the association’s needs, according to Mr Withers. Mrs Shirley Bailey, the association’s executive officer, will retire in January and a replacement is being sought. Mr Withers paid tribute to Mrs Bailey as a “stalwart” of Canterbury squash, with 15 years service involving the Christchurch club as well as the association.